Meet Nancea Ceo | Costume Designer. Artist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nancea Ceo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancea, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Still working on work balance. The. film industry demands allot form you with the hours and schedule. 12 hour days are the norm. As a costume designer, my hours sometimes can be even longer than my crew. I have a saying, “if you 110 percent creatively care allot about your work, then the job may be harder.” I am on the inside an artist and cherish the process. Balance is something I strive for although not alway. successful. When in Los Angeles I may begin my day at the Annenberg Beach House, overlooking the ocean, with my assistant to plan the day and do computer work. Or when in the valley near costume houses I will take lunch at King’s Kitchen for tea served in beautiful cups and lunch. Great music or books on tape for car travel to and from work. Shopping in New York City for a show I will walk the high line to get to an area to shop or through central park from the east side to west side shops. Lunch at a museum or gallery to see great art.

Balance for me is feeding my creative hungry for great the outdoors on weekends. Hiking, walks on the beach or surfing. Recently started drawing almost every day. Balance in personal self care is when not working I completely check out. Family, friends, travel and quiet time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love costume designing. Creating characters through costumes in collaboration with a writer, director and actors I find excitingly challenging and interesting. What sets me apart from others is that I am unique in my approach to a project. I have to get a strong sense of the characters individually and in relationship to each other first. Then. the visuals follow. Each must stand alone and yet visually work together. I look at my work as an art piece. Having gone to art school, each.project feels like I am backing studio. Well written scripts help me most to start.

How I got where I am today; hard work, failure, more hard work and never giving up, Biggest lesson I have learned is sometimes you can do everything right and if it is not your project, and you want it, it may not be yours to have. There is always a better one suited for you that is yours. Other lessens, keep growing an artist. Read, look at fashion, history, art, listen to music and. surround yourself with other creative artists and film makers. Film industry’s a tough business, however, its very rewarding, exciting and new with each project.

If the world was to know something I would want them to know about me is that through my work as a designer, my story is a contribution to someone else’s story. And theirs mine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Drive up the coast on PCH to Malibu. Hike up Solstice Canyon for spectacular ocean views, easy surf spot at surf rider beach and lunch on the pier. Dukes for a beer and fish taco’s after a long surf or hike. Visit to Self Realization Lake shrine. which has the most beautiful gardens and very quiet meditation benches over looking the lake.
Venice for people watching and shopping on Abbott Kinney. Erwhon for cool, young crowd. Brunch at Gjusta restaurant.
Road trip through Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and toward Pasadena. Topanga canyon. So much to see just driving through Los Angeles; Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Jack Colker’s 76 station and old Hollywood architecture.
Museums visits, LACMA, Academy Museum. of Motion Pictures, The Broad, The Getty, The Hammer and the Moca. Vielmetter galley and L.A. Louver.
Best vegan dinners; Crossroads Kitchen, pizza at Double Zero. Tallula’s for skinny margaritas near the beach.
And evening sunset walks on the beach in Santa Monica near Santa Monica pier. Best part of Los Angeles is it is near the beach and mountains along city culture.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Everyone! Everyone and anyone I have met or experienced through their work, friends, families or acquaintances. I believe every experience and path crossed in life brings you to the moment of who you are in the present. Good, great and challenges. The gift is to see this clearly. If a credit were to be given it would be to Dr Roger Hirsh. A friend who showed me that everything is important to your story. And if a book, it would be “The Alchemist”. If a favorite movie, “Orlando”. A mentor, Costume Designer Van Ramsey. who I worked.for many times starting out as a young costumer. And of course family and friends who have cheered me on in my moments of challenges.

Website: www.nanceaceo.com

Instagram: nancea_designceo

Image Credits
The Originals TV SERIES is the gallery shot with cast and wolf. I designed 4+ seasons and did gallery shoots. Kingdom TV series is a shot of actor Frank Grillo. Another show I designed. The others are working boards for other shows. The image of me in art gallery was shot by friend Greg Keith Metcalf. Me on purple couch is from my office of The Chi TV series, which I designed 2nd season. Hat image of me is a photo from unknown photographer. I just like it.